SAM SITES TO BE BASED IN LONDON FOR OLYMPICS

The MoD has reported that they are in the process of locating potential sites around London in which to base surface-to-air missile systems which could be used to defend the airspace above the London summer Olympics against any potential air attack. Residents of a block of flats in London, located near the site of where the Olympics are to be held, have been informed by the Ministry of Defence via leaflets that high-velocity missiles may be installed on the roof of their building, along with a complement of around 10 soldiers, starting from July 27.

“Ground-based air defence systems could be deployed as part of a multi-layered air security plan for the Olympics, including fast jets and helicopters,” a spokesman for the ministry said in a statement.

 “Based on military advice, we have identified a number of sites and… are talking to local authorities and relevant landowners to help minimise the impact of any temporary deployments,”

The Ministry of Defence has not yet made a final decision on deployment of missiles, but is in the process of evaluating any potential sites with the assistance of the Police.
The SAM system which is most likely to be used is Starstreak HVM, a short-range SAM developed by the UK in the late-eighties and introduced into service in 1997, pictured below.

Starstreak II has also been developed, it is pictured below.

The air security measures will be employed in layers, so Starstreak will not be the only form of air defence in use. Rapier (pictured below) will see some kind of application as well. A Type 45 armed with Asters and Eurofighter Typhoons temporarily based in London will take part, too.

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